CIMSPA Professional Standard Gym Instructor

Course overview

This CIMSPA-endorsed Gym Instructor qualification has been designed around real-world employer needs and this places you on the pathway to chartered status. You will learn about the role of the Gym Instructor and apply these skills is to engage, facilitate, educate and support clients in the gym environment. 

Completing this professional standard will ensure that you will be able to:

• Maximise the customer experience 
• Understand the importance of, and perform routine maintenance and cleaning
• Develop an understanding of exercise anatomy and physiology 
• Develop your skills in exercise consultations, assessments and gym inductions 
• Develop an awareness of the importance of lifestyle management and client motivation 
• Plan and review gym programmes
• Supervise exercise and technique
• Develop your knowledge of how to continue your professional practice 

What do students say?

"Doing the course was one of the most enjoyable classes I took this year. I developed confidence, determination, motivation and communication skills. When it comes to testing and exams, it’s a straightforward and fun process; it’s nice to be able to show our understanding through making a programme for a client on a 1-2-1 basis and then taking them through it on a 60 min session." - Chelsea Bishop (year 1)

How you'll be taught

Face-to-face practical learning is held at the Engage Gym, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh and will be the main form of instruction and assessment. The course also consists of some online content.

Assessments  

Formative online tests and in-person delivery questions will assess competence in knowledge and skills; you will submit programme and progression plans, be observed conducting an assessed and progressed programme with a client (not a peer); and you will engage in a professional discussion to assess level of applied knowledge.

Entry requirements 

Students from Edinburgh Napier's BSc Physical Activity and Health and BSc Sport & Exercise Science programmes are required to achieve this professional standard to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills to engage, facilitate, educate and support clients in the gym environment.

Course fee

The commercial course fee is £500, but Edinburgh Napier University students on either the BSc Physical Activity and Health or BSc Sport & Exercise Science can access the course for a special fee of £300.

Current students must insert the code provided by Angie Hardie: A.Hardie@napier.ac.uk or the full amount will be taken. Please email for the discount code.

Important dates  

• 5 days of practical delivery 
• 2 days of assessment 
• Anatomy & Physiology online sessions - all online sessions are also compulsory. Students from Edinburgh Napier's BSc Physical Activity and Health and BSc Sport & Exercise Science programmes can check Moodle for the confirmed dates and times.